GRANADA are optimistic that Liverpool will contemplating extending the loan deal for Tiago Ilori at the end of the season.

Such has been Ilori's form since joining the Spanish side in January, Granada are already looking to keep the Portugese defender for as long as possible.

Ilori was signed from Sporting Lisbon in the summer but Brendan Rodgers decided that a spell away from Anfield might be the best thing for the 20-year-old's development.

Indeed, Ilori often looked out of his depth in his early showings in England and fell behind Daniel Agger, Martin Skrtel and Kolo Toure in the Liverpool pecking order.

But with two calamitous mistakes from Toure in recent games, Liverpool fans might be wondering whether Ilori might have been a better option, particularly given the glowing praise he is receiving in Spain.

In particular Ilori's home debut against Real Betis had the Spanish press comparing the youngster to Dutch master Ronald Koeman for a pin-point pass that set up striker Piti to score the only goal of the game.